What factors contribute to the value of a
collectible comic?
Two things ... #1 is Desire and #2 is Condition.
Lets start with Desire, or in other words, does anyone
want it? If the comic is written by a collectible author,
"desire" is limited to first or very early printings of
their collectible works, or comics authentically signed by
the collectible author or someone notable. A badly written
novel by an uncollected author, no matter how old, no
matter how rare has little value if no one wants it (age
or scarcity without desire and condition have little
effect on a comic's value).
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AddAll.com
Primarily a book site, but lists many
comics not offered elsewhere.
www.AddAll.com
Amazon
Not usually known for comics but has a
huge marketplace of dealers.
www.Amazon.com
AbeBooks.com
Also a book site, but lists many comics for sales.
www.AbeBooks.com
Ebay.com
eBay closed auctions is a great to find
out what your comic has sold for.
www.ebay.com
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The second factor
effecting value is Condition. Just as "location,
location, location" is the mantra in the real estate
world, condition makes or breaks the value of a
collectible comic. Look at your comic as a comic
collector would. A comic collector scrutinizes a 75 year
old collectible comic for the same flaws as a brand new
comic. Comic collectors and professional comic sellers
prefer to use the following categories regarding comic
condition:
Mint (MT) Comics, Perfect,
or as near to perfect as possible.
Near Mint/Mint (NM/M) Comics, 9.8: Only minor
imperfections. Comic book is flat and shows no wear.
Near Mint (NM) Comics, 9.2 to 9.7: Only minor binding
errors allowed. Ink is bright and reflective, no cover
wear.
Very Fine/Near Mint (VF/NM) Comics, 9.0: Slight cover
bend apparent and wear is very hard to see.
Very Fine (VF) Comics, 7.5 to 8.5: Relatively flat cover
with minor corner wear. Paper is not brittle.
Fine/Very Fine (FN/VF) Comics, 7.0: Minor cover wear
shows. Corners may be blunted.
Fine (FN) Comics, 5.5 to 6.5: Cover shows wear, but is
clean with no creasing. Minor or moderate spine roll.
Very Good/Fine (VG/FN) Comics, 5.0: Obviously used.
Minor cover wear with minor or moderate creases. Minor
staple tear and minor rust acceptable.
Good/Very Good (GD/VG) Comics, 3.0: Substantial wear.
Cover loose, or detached at one staple. Discoloration or
fading apparent.
Good (GD) Comics, 1.8 to 2.5: Substantial wear. Dull
cover. Moderate soiling and staining.
Fair/Good (FR/GD) Comics, 1.5: Substantial or heavy
wear. Cover lacks luster. Soiled and scuffed.
Fair (FR), 1.0 Comics: Heavy wear. Lowest collectible
grade. Spine split and roll common. Missing, rusted, or
discolored staples.
Poor (PR) Comics, 0.5: Missing large chunks. Corners
significantly round or missing altogether.
Books on Amazon.com to Help Identify
First Editions and Research
Comic Value ....
Comic
Book Price Guides Available on Amazon.com
IN A
NUTSHELL............................
To determine value, I check each old and
rare comic individually in the closed comic
auctions on eBay (ebay.com). This gives idea
of what comic buyers are willing to pay.
Also, I check the offering prices on sites
such as Alibris (alibris.com), or Abebooks
(abebooks.com), keeping in mind that they
may be optimistic "offering" prices and not
necessarily what a buyer will eventually
pay.
As I check each comic I make sure I am
checking apples to apples so to speak:
Title
Artist
Publishing
Company
Publishing
Date and issue number
and importantly ...... a brutally honest
assessment of Condition.
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